I’m a big fan of diesel cars, because well I’m a big fan of torque – hence my driving a Mitsubish Airtrek Turbo. My car is getting old though and I’m seriously considering changing it – some of the new cars are really efficient in terms of fuel consumption, but they just don’t have enough oomph for me, where as a turbo diesel does.

I recently found out about Bosch Clean Diesel, at Bosch Diesel Systems, they are continuously improving diesels, making them more economical, more powerful and more environmentally friendly. A diesel hybrid, for example, combines the benefits of the diesel’s reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions with the advantages of electric drive. Modern exhaust-gas treatment reduces emissions to a minimum and makes diesels “clean”.

People in Malaysia particularly, tend to have a lot of misconceptions about diesel cars, mostly linked to old technology – and sadly linked to the quality of the diesel available for us here (which is only Euro2 standard).

We were originally supposed to get Euro 4 grade diesel in 2012, and then it was pushed to 2014, and the last I heard it was sometime in 2015.

The current fuel quality leads to a distinct lack of vehicle options for people wanting to purchase a diesel powered car, right now as far as I know, there are only the BMW variants (320d/520d), the Mercedes equivalents (CGI models) the Ford Focus TDCi and the Peugeot 508 HDi. Other than pick-up trucks and commercial vehicles of course.

Every major manufacturer has a diesel variant and in Western Europe over 50% of vehicles sold are diesel (most of the people I know in the UK drive diesel cars).

Diesel cars are loud and noisy – not any more they aren’t go test drive a 520d and tell me if you can hear anything

Diesel cars are sluggish – this is the worst one for me, diesel engines generate a LOT more torque than a petrol engine (around 50% more) so they are far from sluggish, the BMW 320d puts out 380Nm of torque – go check your cars torque figure

Diesel cars are slow – many race cars are now powered by diesel (a diesel car has won Le Mans for many years in a row)

Diesel cars are expensive – Nope, they save you time and money using around 30% less fuel and requiring you to refill less frequently

Are diesel cars ugly? Er no, this is the 2013 BMW 320d M-sport – which is for sale now:

There are other concerns too of course, like the fact the government is pushing for higher percentage of Biodiesel to help the Palm Oil industry, right now we are using B5 diesel (5% bio-fuel) – but they want to implement B10 (10% bio-diesel) which most modern, clean diesel engines can’t use.

Especially when the fuel is Euro 2, if it’s Euro 4 most cars are fine up to B7 – but B5 is still the best compromise.

Either way I hope more people get educated about diesel in Malaysia, there is more support from car manufactures and the government helps the industry too by sticking to B5 and enforcing Euro 4 production sooner rather than later.

Bosch will be helping all parties along the way, if you want to learn more you can check it out here –